Tuesday, June 30, 2009

A new poll by AP-Petside.com investigates how much pet owners treat animals as human beings. Findings reveal that half (50%) of all American pet owners say their animals are just as much a part of the family as any person in the household.

Another interesting bit of data - 43% of pet owners think their pooch or kitty has their own sense of style, with 1 in 5 dressing them up in fashionable attire. Other topics include where pets sleep, whether owners feed human food to their pets,celebrating pets birthday, top pet names, and whether or not pets are featured in family photos and holiday greetings.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

More than half of all pets are left behind when their families travel. PetSmart® (NASDAQ: PETM) knows pet parents want only the best care possible for their loved ones while away, so PetSmart PetsHotel® associates go to great lengths to give pet guests the personal TLC to make them feel right at home.

PetSmart has given me an overnight stay, doggie day camp, and a treat time voucher - a $60 value - for free to one lucky reader.

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment with your favorite vacation spot, and we'll use a random number generator to choose a winner. Contest is open through July 5th!

Here is some more information on PetSmart Hotels

No Request too GreatTake Coco Lamb, a 140-lb. Irish Wolfhound in Joliet, Ill., who only eats his dinner from a spoon. Coco's family drives more than 30 miles to their nearest PetsHotel in for this VIP treatment. Rising to these unique requests is just part of what makes a pet's stay at the PetSmart PetsHotel so special. Whether it's the spoon-fed care of an affectionate associate or an associate rocking a dog named Mitzi to sleep to her parent's lullaby over the Bone Booth™ telephone, these are just a few examples of care provided at the PetsHotel.

Please note that PetSmart hotel is not affiliated with The Pet Haven Blog and this blog assumes no responsibility for the items given away other then offering the promotion on their behalf.

All dogs and cats are welcome at the PetsHotel, provided they have necessary vaccinations, including rabies and bordetella every six months. Average rates for dogs staying at the PetsHotel range from $23 to $37 per night depending on room type. Activities including Doggie Day Camp range from $20 to $25, and varies by location. Cats stay for $14 per night. A la carte services and upgrades range from $3 to $16.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

The weather is getting warmer, and hopefully here on the east coast, the rain will stop. Here are some good tips to help your furry friends enjoy the summer.

Transportation

Never leave your pet in an unattended car. On warm days, the temperature in your car can rise to 120 degrees in a matter of minutes, even with the windows slightly open.

When you bring your pet along on a car ride, use a pet safety harness. If an accident were to occur, a pet safety harness can ensure that every passenger is protected.

If your dog must ride in the back of a pick-up truck, make sure that he or she is in a crate that is secured to the bed of the truck. If you were to suddenly hit the brakes, swerve or be hit by a car, it could result in serious injury not only to your pet, but to other drivers.

Do not travel with your pet on an airplane unless it's absolutely necessary. If you plan on bringing your pet on vacation, consider driving to your destination. Otherwise, think about leaving your pet behind under the care of a pet sitter or boarding kennel.

Wellness

Only use veterinarian-approved flea and tick control products. Over-the-counter products may contain ingredients that have been found to harm pets. For more information about what chemicals to avoid, click here.

Make sure that your pet is protected from heartworm. Dogs and cats are at higher risk of contracting heartworm during the summer because there is an increase of mosquitoes, which transfer the disease. Contact your veterinarian in order to determine the best schedule for heartworm testing and preventive medication for your pet.

Protect your pet from the heat by providing him/her with large amounts of fresh water and keeping them indoors with you and providing plenty of shade when they are spending time outdoors.On hot days, limit your pet's exercise to the early morning or evening hours. Also, keep in mind that the hot asphalt can burn your pet's paws.Precautions

Learn to identify the signs of heat stress: heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, a staggering gait, vomiting, or a deep red or purple tongue. If your pet does become overheated, immediately lower his/her body temperature by applying cool (not cold) water over his/her body, and giving small amounts of water or ice cubes. Most importantly, get immediate help from a veterinarian.

Teach your dog how to get out of your pool. Like people, many dogs like cooling off in pools. Even if your dog can swim, tragedy can occur if he/she does not know how to exit the pool. This can be prevented by showing your pooch how to enter the pool via the stairs and guiding him or her back out. Never leave your pet unattended around a pool.

Make sure that your pet is always wearing a collar with an updated identification tag. Even if your pet has an implanted microchip, as of late 2003, animal shelters and humane societies may not have a universal scanner that can read every brand of microchip.

Friday, June 12, 2009

You've no doubt heard about the human obesity epidemic, but did you know that pets have practically caught up with us? Check out this startling statistic: up to 40% of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese. And as a result, there is a government-approved "fat drug" for our four-legged friends.

But before asking about a prescription for your portly pooch, get your dog on a diet and exercise plan. Not only will this help Rex with his weight loss, but it could help you trim down, too.

Case in point: Researchers at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago rounded up 36 obese or overweight people who owned dogs that were obese and put the people and their pups on lower-calorie diets. The researchers also advised owners to get 20–30 minutes of daily exercise. The pup owners exercised more compared with overweight or obese adults who did not own dogs. And because they spent much of their time exercising with their dogs, the pets really ended up dropping the pounds. In fact, most lost about 15% of their body weight!

So do yourself and your dog a favor by staying active and eating healthfully. Both are vital for your -- and your pet's -- long-term health and happiness.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

With June here and the weather heating up, more and more dog owners will be treating their pups to an afternoon at a neighborhood dog park. There are more than 600 dog parks across the country, which means spending the day at the dog park is becoming increasingly more common. As the founder of Dogtopia, a national chain of upscale dog daycare and spas, I see dogs interacting with each other quite regularly during our daily play groups and at the “indoor” dog park days we host at our facilities during the winter. While the trips to the dog park can be a great way to help with your pooches socialization skills, it can also turn out to be a disaster if you are not prepared for the trip. When it comes to spending time at the dog park, there are plenty of “do’s and don’ts.”

With that in mind, here are a few key tips dog owners should remember before rushing out to the local dog park:

* Make sure your dog is up-to-date on his/her vaccinations before heading out. * If you've never been to the park before, find out if there is a water source. If there isn't, remember to bring water with you. * Always clean up after your dog. The dog park’s for everyone. * Always pay attention while your dog plays and interrupt any rough play. * It may be a good idea to leave toys and treats of your own at home to avoid any competition for them between the dogs. Besides, the dogs are more than capable of occupying themselves. * Don’t worry if your dog doesn’t immediately begin to play. Every dog has to reach their own comfort level. * If your dog makes a new friend, chat with the owner and learn when they normally come to play. You can arrange play dates!

Following these tips will help make everyone’s experience at the dog park an enjoyable one. For more information on Dogtopia and a listing of locations nationwide, as well as how to get your dog involved with one of our numerous play groups, visit www.dogdaycare.com.

About the Author: Amy Nichols, founder and CEO of Dogtopia.After researching trends and carefully planning the venture to serve dogs and their busy owners, Amy founded the first Dogtopia, a full-service dog day care, spa and boutique, in 2002. The company has experienced overwhelming success and growth. There are currently 20 Dogtopia locations open throughout the country, with a dozen more facilities currently in development.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

I've been off the blogging world for a bit, but I'm getting back into it and will have some more posts soon. The puppies and fish are all doing well. The dogs had their annual check ups and Rocco had an ear infection. He had been scratching a lot lately at the ear, and we thought it was from his seasonal allergies and had been giving him his allergy medicine. Unfortunately is was worse then that, but the vet caught the problem and Rocco has been scratching a lot less.

About Me

I’ve always had pets. Growing up it was a dog, some cats, and a fish tank. As I got older and moved out on my own, I always took the fish with me. The urge for a new puppy kept grabbing hold. After months of research and searching, we found Rocco…a Lhasa Apso/Japanese Chin mix. Different, you say? Well, nothing like we’ve ever seen. But a great dog with lots of energy. A year later, we adopted Kelso, a pup who had bounced around to a few different homes before we took him in and gave him a permanent place to live.
Disclaimer:
This site is for entertainment purposes. We try to provide tips based on research, but we encourage you to do your own research. The opinions expressed are from the authors and if your pet needs medical advice, we suggest speaking to your vet.